It's WILD

I know I seem to be doing things backwards… last week, I reviewed Nikki Duncan’s WICKED in Whispering Cove and now this week, I’m reviewing Mackenzie McKade’s WILD in Whispering Cove. Even though WICKED is the third of the series, I read it first and then just absolutely had to go back to read the others.

WILD is the first book in the series that authors Mackenzie McKade, Cathryn Fox, and Nikki Duncan have teamed up to write. It is an erotic contemporary anthology being released throughout January and February 2011. The premise is a bet made between three grandfathers to see which of their grandchildren they can marry off first. (For more on this, go back to review my WICKED review.)

WILD in Whispering Cove is the story of Andie Adair who left town ten years ago after a boating accident that killed her parents. Blaming herself, she escapes Whispering Cove and leaves behind her family, friends, and a fiancè. She manages to stay away until she receives an ambiguous telephone call from her grandfather that leaves her concerned for his health. If only she knew it was all part of his plan.

Desperate not to lose her only living relative before seeing him again, she flies across country and straight into the arms of the fiancé she left behind. Though Whispering Cove is the last place she wants to be, she finds herself falling into Brody McGrath’s arms. The reader is brought on a journey as Andie relives past memories and attempts to come to terms with her grief. Andie’s pain is palpable, calling on the empathy of the reader.

Now the town’s sheriff, Brody doesn’t know why Andie left all those years ago but he doesn’t plan on letting her go again. While he reacquaints her with Whispering Cove, he pushes her to work through the pain from which she’s running. Brody’s love is written with such depth that it comes off the page to embrace the reader. Even without the sizzling sex, their passion for each other is illustrated in every touch.

WILD in Whispering Cove has that piece that many short novellas miss – the strong back story that authenticates the characters’ motivations. Well done. 5 chocolate-dipped strawberries. I strongly recommend this anthology but definitely don’t follow my path. Start with this story first… WILD, then WET, then WICKED. Then tell me what you think. After all, just like my sister always said when I was growing up – it’s not all about me…